KCCI has learned the driver, William Phipps, 45, has a history of drunken driving and should not have been on the road in the first place.

The collision kept a portion of the southbound lanes shut down for more than four hours.

Phipps struck a 2010 Subaru carrying the driver, Zachary McMahon, who was transported to a nearby hospital. The extent of his injuries are unknown.

The passenger, Alexander Koch, died in the accident.

“I’d like to express my condolences to the Koch family, and we will assist them in any way that we can,” said Lt. Brian Kroska, of the Ankeny Police Department.

Phipps’ driving records indicate he was barred from driving and had two previous drunken-driving charges. Phipps was taken into custody by Ankeny police officers and faces several charges, including vehicular homicide, OWI third offense, driving while barred and leaving the scene of an accident.

Eyewitnesses who saw Phipps ditching his car and fleeing the scene proved key in his arrest.

“Without that information, it would have just been some guy walking down the street,” Kroska said. “Had that caller not provided us with that information, we may not have stopped him.”

Police arrested Phipps along Delaware Avenue and 18th Street, about a ½ mile from the crash site.

“Buzzed driving is drunk driving,” Kroska said. “It’s probably a good idea to not get behind the wheel of a car. Call for a cab, Uber, whatever you want to do. But just take it safe, because this is the result. This is what happens.”